Splint liner



4 United States Patent 1111354 [72] Inventor Donald W. Bergen [56]References Cited Glenview, lll. UNITED STATES PATENTS P i 2,911,65711/1959 Streeter 5/327 ggg a: 2 1970 3,040,740 6/1962 Parker 128/833,382,503 5/1968 Ramon 2/24 [73] Assrgnee Co. Inc. OTHER REFERENCES acorporation N Y k Richards Fracture and Orthopedic Catalogue p.16, &p.26

copy in Group 330 May 9, 1966. Primary Examiner-Richard A. Gaudet [54] gas Assistant Examiner-J. Yasko n Attorney-Hill, Sherman, Meroni, Grossand Simpson [52] [1.8. (I 128/89, 128/156 51 Int. Cl. A6lf5/04 ABSTRACT=A soft cushioning liner for surgical Splints, w [50] Field ofSearch128/89, 87, cially metallic splints used in cases of fracture, a er tedor incised wounds, severe burns and other afflictions, the liner beingeasily sterilized and reusable.

PATENTED 050221510 SHEET 1 BF 2 My, Hi

SPLINT LINER BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention Thisinvention or discovery relates to the art of lining surgical splints,each liner being shaped in accordance with a particular type of surgicalsplint to give soft, cushioning protection to pressure-sensitive areasand insure a high degree of absorbency, and each liner is provided withmeans for readily and quickly securing it to a splint, which meanspermit ready removal of the liner from the splint for sterilization andreuse.

2. Description of the Prior Art Insofar as I am aware, readymade linersfor various types of surgical splints have not heretofore beenmanufactured. Accordingly, in hospitals, clinics, and other places ofsurgical treatment, it was necessary for a nurse or doctor to fabricatea lining for a splint, especially for metal splints and particularlyperforated splints. This was accomplished by spreading cotton in thesplint, folding up a soft cloth such as a light blanket and placing itin the splint, and in similar ways, all of which required an expenditureof time and delayed attention to the injury of the patient. Such afabricated lining also added to the difficulty of properly applying thesplint to the body of the patient without causing the lining to becomemaladjusted. The procedure was not only laborious and time consuming,but also expensive since in most cases the lining was discarded afteruse. 1

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The problems previously existing, as aboveoutlined, have effectively been solved by the provision of the instantinvention namely a readymade contour-shaped splint liner of softmaterial that is both cushioning and absorbent. The splint liner isshaped to fit a particular type of splint, in each instance, may beapplied and secured to the splint prior to the arrival of a patient, andthe splint and liner handled as a single unit with not danger ofmaladjustment of the liner. After usage the liner may quickly be removedfrom the splint, autoclaved or otherwise sterilized and reused again andagain.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a side view of a metalsplint showing a liner embodying principles of the instant inventionpartially applied to the splint;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged bottom plan sectional view taken sub stantially asindicated by the line lI-ll of FIG. I, looking in the direction of thearrows;

FIG. 3 is a vertical sectional view, also enlarged, taken substantiallyas indicated by the line III-III of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a rear view of the liner alone illustrating the constructionof the same;

FIG. 5 is a side view of the liner alone;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary perspective view of a liner associated with adifferent type of metallic splint; and

FIG. 7 is a rear view of still another form of splint equipped with aliner embodying principles of the instant invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS In FIGS. 1, 3 and 3 the linerisshown associated with a posterior tibia and fibula aluminum splint 1,contoured to receive the foot and fit over the ankle and calf of theleg. Such splints are also made in hip length as well as knee length.The splint is preferably perforated in the portion partially embracingthe leg and also below the sole of the foot as indicated at 2 forventilation and possibly drainage purposes if the affliction sorequires.

The liner itself comprises a fabric backing 3 of cotton, triacetate, orother suitable material carrying on one surface thereof a dense highpile of fibers which are secured to the backing substantially the sameas the pile of a carpet is v secured to its backing. The backing 3 ispreferably stiffened to some extent in a known manner. The pile 4 ispreferably of synthetic fibers, polyester fiber being highlysatisfactory and the pile constitutes approximately seven-eighths of thecom posite fabric. Synthetic material, such as polyester fiber andtriacetate backing are preferable in that they are mildew proof and willnot support bacterial growth so that only a minimum amount of care isnecessary for the liner. The pile 4 is quite high so that the liner hasthe generalappearance and feel of lambswool or sheepskin, and theuniformity of the pile provides a smooth, nonirritating surface,designed to prevent pressure buildup and also assure a high degree ofabsorbency. Further, the pile is soft and gives cushioning protection topressure-sensitive areas. The liner will not mat, bunch up, wrinkle oradhere to the skin of the patient.

A liner is simply and easily attached to a splint by tying the lineraround the splint in separate locations, but preferably by one or moresets of nylon tape fasteners comprising overlapping strap members 5 and6. Such fasteners are sold on the open market under the registeredtrademark Velcro," and the outer strap 5 has a series of relativelystiff cut loops extending from the backing, while the other strap member6 is covered with a shallow nylon pile. When overlapped the hooklikeends of the loops on the strap 5 anchor within the pile on the strap 6and firmly hold the liner attached to the splint against any accidentaldislodgement. Thus, the liner and the splint may behandled as though itwere all in one piece and the liner cannot become maladjusted duringuse.

Each liner is preferably contoured generally in keeping with the shapeof the particular type of splint for which it is designed. To this end,the liner for a posterior tibia and fibula splint is preferably made ofthree initially separate pieces, generally indicated by numerals 7, 8and 9, best seen in FIGS. 4 and 5. These separate pieces may be die cutor otherwise provided from a sheet of liner material comprising both thebacking 3 and the pile 4. The piece 7 is generally shaped to accommodatethe liner behind the calf of the leg and near the bottom thereof has asection removed which is filled by piece 8 connnected to the piece 7 bya line of stitching It). The piece 8, generally triangular in shape, iswider than the original notch cut in the piece 7 so that the piece 8will project rearwardly from the piece 7 toward the heel of a foot. Thepiece 9 is shaped in general to fit the foot portion of the splint andis joined to the piece 7 by a pair of like seams Il-ll running from theends of the seam l0 outwardly. The pieces 8 and 9 are so cut that whenthe assemblage is made, a generally oval opening 12 remains between thepieces 8 and 9 permitting the liner to bend easily and be insertedintimately into the heel portion of the splint. Due to the height anddensity of the pile 4 this pile will actually project through theopening 12 as seen at 13 in FIG. 5. When placed inside the splint,therefore, the liner has a front appearance of being only a singlepiece, the seams 10 and 11 and the opening l2'being invisible while theliner is in the splint.

The splint equipped with a liner may' be prepared ahead of time and beinstantly ready when a patient arrives. The liner is quickly attached tothe splint by means of the fastening elements 5 and 6 and as readilyremoved from the splint. After usage, the liner is removed from thesplint, laundered, and sterilized in an autoclave or otherwise, readyfor reuse on another patient. Accordingly, much labor and time is savedby the use of the instant invention and cleansing, sterilizing and thelike between reusages over a considerable length of time does notdetract in any manner from the liners property of providing theadvantages mentioned hereinabove, resulting in added economy andefficiency.

Another example of the instant invention is illustrated in FIG. 6, wherea liner, generally indicated by numeral l4, made in the manner describedabove is shown in operative position on a hand cockup and forearm splintl5.

Still another example of the instant invention is shown in FIG. 7,wherein a liner, generally indicated by numeral l6, and constructed ofthe same material and generally in the same manner as above described isshown in operative positionon-aZimmer Clavicularqc'rosssplint-17illustrated in position upon the body of ap'atient-ISZ Theliner of FlG.'6 maybe attached to the splint in the same manner asdescribed'in connection with FIGS. 1 to S, and also in the case of thesplint of FIG. -7, even though an over-theshoulder andaround-the-waist-form of strapping 19 is utilized to hold the splintitself. It will also be understood that liners for various types ofsplints will varyin the number of originally separate or due cut piecesbut the general mode of construction will be the same as previouslydescribed.

complcmentally to the contour of the splint and comprises a softcushioning fabric embodying a fabric backing and a dense pile of fiberssecured thereto and covering one face thereof, means for removablysecuring said liner to said splint, and said liner being sterilizableand reusable.

2. The splint liner of claim 1 wherein said fibers constitute in excessof three-fourths of the composite fabric.

It will be understood that modifications and variations may be effectedwithout departing from the scope of the novel con cepts of thepresentinvention.

lclaim:

l. The combination) of a preformed splint liner and'a preformed splintcontoured to fit a particularportion of a body, the improvement beingin, said liner which is shaped

